Experts from Korea, the United States, Japan, and Canada Convene for Strategic Nuclear Cooperation

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) hosted the 2024 KAERI Global Forum on August 20-21 in Daejeon, Korea, inviting nuclear experts from Korea, the United States, Japan, and Canada. The event served as a platform for sharing nuclear policies and technology development trends, as well as for discussing cooperative strategies in response to global environmental changes.

The forum brought together over 30 experts from both domestic and international nuclear industries. Among the notable attendees were Dr. Han Gyu Joo, President of KAERI; Stephen G. Burns, former Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); Marcia Burkey, Executive Vice President of TerraPower; Usha Menon, Director of R&D at the CANDU Owners Group; Kentaro Funaki, Executive Director of International Affairs at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA); and Peter Elder, Chief Science Officer at the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). Additionally, key representatives from major Korean industrial and research organizations—such as Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Doosan Enerbility, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, and the i-SMR Development Agency— also attended, highlighting their leadership in the nuclear industry and technological innovation.

The forum's theme, "Advancing Nuclear Frontiers: Empowering the Future through Collaboration and Innovation," provided a framework for experts to share the latest developments in nuclear technology and explore future avenues for cooperation.

Dr. Han Gyu Joo, President of KAERI, highlighted the increasing importance of nuclear energy in achieving carbon neutrality and enhancing energy security, pointing out that these evolving global circumstances make continued innovation in nuclear technology essential. He added, "This forum seeks to establish a solid foundation for global nuclear cooperation, accelerating the development of advanced nuclear technologies."